Two of the human tribes that arrived in Thedas, the Ciriane and Inghirsh, settled in the region that became known as Orlais and were the ancestors of modern Orlesians. The Ciriane settled in central Orlais and were loosely defined and culturally rich. The Inghirsh, who settled in northern Orlais and southern Tevinter, were easily defeated in their conflict against the Neromenians, as they were a decentralized and nomadic people. Survivors of the conflict were absorbed into the Ciriane or Planasene, a tribe settled in present-day Nevarra. The Ciriane people, who were largely isolated, remained a strong and distinct group until the founding of Orlais. 

​

At the outbreak of the Blight, the Ciriane fought besides the Tevinters and the Grey Wardens in order to defeat the Archdemon Dumat in -203 Ancient. Later on, during the Exalted March against the Tevinter Imperium, Andraste expelled the Tevinters from a large portion of Orlais. In -165 Ancient, after the end of the war, Maferath divided the lands of southern Thedas between himself and his sons. His eldest, Isorath, was put in charge of the lands west of the Fereldan Valley and tasked with unifying the disparate Ciriane tribes.

​

When Archon Hessarian revealed Maferath's betrayal of Andraste in -160 Ancient, Isorath initially managed to retain control of Orlais. However, his brother Verald lost control of Nevarra City and fled to Orlais, engaging in a lengthy power struggle to take it from his older brother. In -155 Ancient, the Ciriane united into a kingdom in a moment known as the Grand Unification, a forced campaign of sweeping changes meant to favor centralized trade and power in an attempt to create more efficient barriers against the likelihood of a Tevinter return to conquest.

 

He leveled several existing cities to create Val Royeaux, the capital of his new nation, which he named Orlais. Jeshavis, angered by the forced unification of her people and unwilling to be ruled by the Alamarri, manipulated Verald into murdering his brother and all his direct children.

 

After he married her to bring legitimacy to his claim, Jeshavis had him killed as well and became the first female chieftain of the Ciriane, or gyðja. She went on to rule for forty-two years. She is known as the "Mother of Orlais" and sometimes credited for creating the Game.

​

in -3 Ancient, Kordillus Drakon was crowned ruler of the Empire of Orlais. His first act was to declare the Chantry as the official religion of the empire. After four years, the Nevarran Accords were signed and the Inquisition was merged into the Chantry to form the militant arm of Templars. Olessa of Montsimmard, the only female general in Drakon's armies, was chosen as the first Divine. She was crowned Divine Justinia I in 1:01 Divine.

 

The free use of magic has now been declared illegal in Orlais except by those mages operating under the direct auspices of the Chantry.